Spotify is scaling up its six-year-old mental health program through a partnership with nonprofit Backline, as the streaming giant seeks to address wellness challenges across the global music industry.
The expanded Heart & Soul initiative, originally launched in October 2018, now includes direct funding for therapy sessions and a new international resource hub.
The new partnership, dubbed “Heart & Soul, Mental Health for Creators,” introduces what Spotify and Backline say is the “first ever global mental health resource hub” specifically designed for artists, songwriters and industry workers.
Spotify’s Head of Artist & Label Partnerships, Monica Herrera Damashek, said: “It’s clear that the mental health challenges artists face are real, and that the current support systems often fall short. It’s on all of us in the industry to respond with action.”
Backline Executive Director & Co-Founder Hilary Gleason added: “Backline is honored to serve as a steward of Spotify’s investment into the creative community.”
“Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders.”
“Bringing our work to scale is a meaningful way to uplift the well-being of artists all around the world. This collaboration is taking these invaluable mental health and wellness resources beyond borders.”
Hilary Gleason, Backline
Since its founding, Blackline has provided over $236,000 in grants through its Music’s Mental Health Fund. The organization says it has supported over 2,220 individuals with a custom mental health care plan, held weekly community meetings for over 5,280 people, offered over 3,120 discounts to wellness apps and products and vetted over 1,340 mental health providers in their clinical network.
Under the new arrangement with Spotify, Backline will launch a multilingual database featuring mental health resources and crisis hotlines from multiple countries.
The organization will also provide a concierge email service at global@backline.care to help international users navigate local healthcare systems.
Spotify is funding free therapy sessions for participants in its EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassador programs in both the US and the UK.
Damashek said: “Spotify is expanding its Heart & Soul for Creators initiative by helping Backline scale its Mental Health & Wellness Global Resource Hub internationally for the first time, and by offering 1:1 therapy access to EQUAL, GLOW, and RADAR ambassadors in the US and UK.”
“We know this is only one step but we look forward to building on this for a more supported, sustainable environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”
Monica Herrera Damashek, Spotify
“We know this is only one step but we look forward to building on this for a more supported, sustainable environment for the artists who shape culture every day.”
The Heart & Soul initiative has also committed to supporting wellness events at major music festivals, including partnerships with Noah Kahan‘s The Busyhead Project for backstage mental health activations.
Gleason said: “Music knows no bounds, and now people who make music happen have access to care and a compassionate community. Our work together will help ensure that artists have the resources, support, and stability they need to thrive both personally and professionally.”
The program includes other initiatives designed for industry-specific challenges. A digital guide called “Mind The Music” offers strategies for maintaining mental health while touring, while dedicated songwriter support includes studio residencies and discussion panels.
“Our work together will help ensure that artists have the resources, support, and stability they need to thrive both personally and professionally.”
Hilary Gleason, Backline
Recent participants in Spotify’s songwriting studio program included The Altons, Sinseers, and Iman Jordan.
Spotify’s financial commitments extend beyond Backline to include direct funding for MusiCares, Music Minds Matter, and Mental Health Alliance, as well as Noah Kahan’s The Busyhead Project, and WE GOT YOU!, Chappell Roan’s Backline initiative. Chappell Roan had earlier committed a seed funding pledge of $25,000 to Backline to establish the WE GOT YOU! initiative.
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